How to Clean your Violin Bow Hair and Stick

[@wilbervalenteg.417]

I never knew that we needed to clean our violins and bows. This video made me realize how dirty and how bad the hairs were out of place. Thanks, this actually helped

[@violinlounge]

Wilber Valente-Gutierrez good for you! Do you notice a difference in sound and playing after the clean up?

[@claudeandrhondalambert5272]

Since I just received my first violin I have been watching videos like mad and soaking in all I can about care. I dont want to wait until there is a problem and then be trying to search why, how, etc. This is the first video I have seen on cleaning the bow. Adding it to my notes...thank you!

[@violinlounge]

Let me know the difference in sound! Happy to help and I'm glad my videos are helpful!

[@DivaDeb1234]

Hi Zlata ! I like keeping my violin clean ! I never took my bow apart although they showed me how to do it at my local violin maker shop. You are amazing !

[@ahmedsaleh5141]

A great video .... rarely would you see a video like this talking about cleaning the bow ..... Thank you very much for it

[@violinlounge]

I'm glad it's useful!

[@amdesidik305]

Your cleaning method is more sensible than many I've watched in the You Tube. Thanks Zlata..

[@violinlounge]

Good to read that! What's the next thing you'd like to learn/improve on the violin?

[@vanessahill3596]

Thankyou - glad to see cleaning my bow nice and simple with things I already have at home👍

[@gavrilyaselletheyoungfiddl786]

I recommend denatured alcohol for cleaning your bow hairs because some rubbing alcohols have moisturisers and the oils from the moisturiser can affect the bow grip from the string.

[@violinlounge]

Gavril Yaselle, the Young Fiddler thank you for the tip!

[@johnmccarthy8618]

I just done this and can't believe how good it worked. I don't play classical music, I only play Irish traditional music which I am guessing is not as demanding on the bow as classical. But yes, no more slipping of the bow which is very annoying and the tendency is to keep applying more rosin to get it to grip and it only makes it worse. It has to be cleaned of all the gunk... back to basics. Thank you for this gem of advice, it is much appreciated

[@violinlounge]

I'm happy it's helpful!

[@priyainba6230]

This video helped me a lot to clean my violin bow, I have been wondering how to do for a long time, simple yet effective, thank you

[@violinlounge]

Glad it helped!

[@bangmon1000]

Thanks for making this video and others about maintaining a violin.

[@fiakyono]

Thanks for the recommendation to clean the bow. I keep putting lotion on my hands causing the bow to slide. If oil got on strings as well because my fingers turn black on the tips.

[@chrisladouceur4093]

I was given a bow from my grandpa, I think it’s from the 60s. It hasn’t been used in a long time and sat in the open in his home. The hair isn’t in the best shape, quite dirty and dusty. It seems to have nearly all of its hairs though. Searching online people recommend denatured alcohol but I have a lot of 99% isopropyl on-hand, would this be good to use?

[@violinlounge]

Yes, I think it’s safe to use it, however after those years the bow might need a rehair.

[@yuzudreams]

I would love to clean my bow hair but I'm quite afraid of ruining it if I'm not careful! Anyway, would love your advice on how often should we clean the bow hair (by ourselves)? And also, should we re-hair our bow anyways even though not much hair is lost? Just for maintenance (sort of). If yes, how often should we re-hair??? once every few years? Thank you in advance!!! 🥰

[@violinlounge]

Clean it when it's dirty or about once year. Rehair once every few years when you notice that cleaning doesn't work anymore or the bow hair is too thin.

[@yuzudreams]

@@violinlounge Thank you! Will take note of that!!

[@dianal.1279]

Fantastic! I always clean the wood, but have never cleaned the hair! I'll do it now. Thank you for the tip!🌹

[@violinlounge]

Let me know what difference in sound you notice!

[@dianal.1279]

@@violinlounge I didn't notice a difference in the sound. Do you think I need to do it again? My strings are quite old, too.

[@kevro2000]

Well done! Very well explained, thanks!

[@violinlounge]

Thanks for your comment, Kevin, have you already tried cleaning your bow?

[@kevro2000]

@@violinlounge Hi! I have cleaned my bows a few times in my life, not very often. I used a cloth, rather than a brush. Next time, I'll use the brush, thats a very good idea!

[@violinlounge]

@@kevro2000 Sure, let me know if you notice a difference. In my experience a brush can clean a bit better in between the hairs.

[@curtpiazza1688]

Great pointers!

[@violinlounge]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@4570george]

Thank you Zlata, you saved me heaps :)

[@violinlounge]

🥳🥳🥳

[@Nothing20120]

Tysm I appreciate it

[@michaelprenez-isbell8672]

thank you! great example.

[@violinlounge]

You are welcome!

[@Sara-wd5lk]

Thank you so much for this useful video! May I use the violin cleaner also to clean the fingerboard of the violin? Thank you Zlata!💕

[@violinlounge]

Most of the time violin cleaner is a bit greasy and you don't want the fingerboard to get slippery. I personally use special fingerboard oil.

[@Sara-wd5lk]

@@violinlounge Thank you so much Zlata for your kind reply!🌺

[@ninagorceac2291]

Hello, Zlata! Thank you for the tip! I will try this next days! I've started to play violin after i've graduated College of Music Ştefan Neaga in Kishinew city Rep. Moldova, it was 16 years ago. And my bow needs real cleaning in specially the hairs of the bow : i will try with denatured alcool, but i guess there is necessarily something more effective for very old greasy on the hairs of the bow... what do you recommend? And what is the name of solution for cleaning the violin? P.S. Is this ok this type of cleaning the hairs of the bow : to separate from the bow down side and to wash in cold water with shampoo and let it dry completely? 😊

[@violinlounge]

I guess alcohol should do the job for the bow hair. Soap is also an option, but be careful that no wood parts get wet. Here's something for your violin: bit.ly/2DK4tTG

[@wayneandrews8379]

What strength alcohol do you recommend and how long should you wait for the bow hair to be completely dry. Around the 4th of this month I recently brought a Antonio Giuliani Primo Violin full size. So it should be quite a while before needing to clean the bow hair.

[@violinlounge]

The purer the better and dry until it’s dry. The more fluid you use, the longer it will take to dry.

[@thapyayoo3868]

I have a question I used hangel instead of alcohol when I cleaned the bow hair.And I cleaned the hair with screw. How long does it take bow hair dry?

[@violinlounge]

Until it feels dry :). With alcohol this is very fast.

[@plop7788]

What is the background music?

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks for the tip. Really helpful. For alcohol can I use methylated spirits? I have both the dyed purple sort and clear (for making shellac varnish). Or would surgical spirit do?

[@violinlounge]

Surgical or the one you get at the drug store will do.

[@BensWorkshop]

@@violinlounge Many thanks.

[@garethdavies7235]

Hi many thanks for this! Is it also possible to clean the silver on the frog of the bow as it tarnishes or does this really need to be left until it is properly rehaired?.........so what would you use for tarnished silver please?

[@violinlounge]

Often just polishing is enough for silver. Otherwise there's special stuff for silver on the market... the one you can use on fancy silver tea pots etc. (don't know it's name)

[@garethdavies7235]

@@violinlounge ok brill many thanks! 👍

[@lanamcbride7581]

What type of alcohol did you use?

[@violinlounge]

I believe it's the purest possible medical alcohol. The higher the percentage, the better.

[@stephensheridan93]

I had no idea! Mrs S

[@violinlounge]

Did you notice a difference in sound.

[@smb_09]

I started off playing the cello in year 4, but now im in year 7 and i want something smaller, for 6 months ive been saving for a violin and i can finally afford it

[@violinlounge]

Good for you!

[@jamesbondaygee]

So what kind of alcohol do you use rubbing alcohol?

[@violinlounge]

Sorry, I don't know which alcohol to use best.

[@marciah0312]

James, Most widely used alcohol is denatured - because isoprophyl (rubbing alcohol) contains oil and you don't want that on your violin strings. Hope this helps :)

[@carpemortemdixi]

for hair clean just water with brush ıs that enough ?

[@violinlounge]

Doing it with alcohol like I show in the video cleans better.

[@TwoSetViolinEdits]

Hi, my bow hair has started to turn a bit yellowish at the frog of the bow. Anyone know why and how to fix it?

[@violinlounge]

Usually that is some dirt or grease from the thumb. If correct you can clean it with alcohol and a toothbrush as shown in the video.

[@TwoSetViolinEdits]

@@violinlounge okay, thx!

[@islandbubbletea]

Just tried this with my bowhair. :) Now it looks and feels good as new. Many thanks for sharing this!

[@violinlounge]

Great to hear!

[@mecanictransmision]

Zlata....you are more beautiful every time !

[@violinlounge]

Thanks for the beautiful compliment!

[@michaelmcwilliams4705]

The alcohol used is 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol?

[@violinlounge]

I believe 99%.

[@conniewatson5010]

I just got my violin ,.. as I was taking it out of the case,. I was getting the Bow out too,. But the horse hair got caugh on the nob that was holding the bow in place,. Well,... 1- of the horse hair snag and broke,.. 😣😖 I'm so heart broken,.💔 There is also another bow in the case...

[@violinlounge]

Nooooo, but one hair doesn’t really matter. It happens to all of us once in a while.

[@Zxouf873]

I never ever touch the bow hair i only clean the stick, watching this video is a little scary 🥺🙉🌹

[@KangurSinguatic]

Forgot to brush the hair little bit ..

[@violinlounge]

Ok 👍

[@AaronDuran-sv9rc]

my teachers never told me to clean the bow they told me to clean the strings only

[@Sagelystables8272]

Heck before I watched this I used water on my bass bow

[@violinlounge]

Did it work?

[@Kimberiano_jungkook]

I accidentally put varinsh cleaner on bow hair

[@violinlounge]

Oops!

[@DivaDeb1234]

Hi Zlata ! I like keeping my violin clean ! I never took my bow apart although they showed me how to do it at my local violin maker shop. You are amazing !